Minutes 02-09-09
PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
CITY OF JANESVILLE, WISCONSIN
REGULAR MEETING APPROVED: February 23, 2009
FEBRUARY 9, 2009
VOL. 59
NO. 44
Regular meeting of the City Council of the City of Janesville held in the Municipal Building on
February 9, 2009. The meeting was called to order by Council President Loasching at 7:00 PM.
Council President Loasching led the Council in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Present: Council President Loasching, Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Steeber, Truman,
and Voskuil. Absent: Councilmember Rashkin.
CONSENT AGENDA
Minutes of the regular meeting of January 26, 2009.
Licenses and Recommendations of the Alcohol License Advisory Committee. Councilmember
McDonald requested removal of R & D Capital Group’s alcohol license application from the
consent agenda. Council President Loasching removed this item from the consent agenda.
Authorization for Administration to accept a liability claim from Anna Spori in an amount not to
exceed $6,750.00.
Council President Loasching stated that all items on the consent agenda would be approved if
there were no objections. There were none.
Councilmember McDonald moved to approve a Class B alcohol license for R & D Capital Group
and to remove the contingency placed on the license by the Alcohol License Advisory Committee.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Steeber and passed unanimously.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Requests and comments from the public regarding items on the agenda not requiring a public
hearing. Don Allison, 731 N. Garfield Ave., Roger Swenson, 818 Suffolk Dr., Ray Fenton, 114 N.
Sumac Dr. and Helen Close, 227 Ba Wood Ln., spoke in support of additional Senior Center
parking (New Business #1). David Moore, 67 Campus Ln., opposed the charter ordinance
changing the appointment process for committees (Old Business #3). Andreah Briarmoon, 339
S. Locust St., spoke in support of the charter ordinance.
2. Requests and comments from the public on matters which can be affected by Council action.
Kelly Kaiser, 2307 Plymouth Ave., suggested an advisory committee be created for the Ice
Skating Center. Andrea Briarmoon, 339 S. Locust St., spoke in support of a Citizens Board of
Appeal that could overrule Administrative rulings and City employee decisions. Ted Kinnaman,
1213 Columbus Circle, stated taxpayer money should not be used to improve the Ice Skating
Center. He stated that investors, who want to bring a professional hockey team to Janesville,
should pay for the improvements to the Ice Skating Center.
3. Discussion continued on a proposed charter ordinance amending the appointment provisions
of the Plan Commission, Board of Review, Library Board of Trustees, and Zoning Board of
Appeals and creating a charter ordinance for the Community Development Authority to require
appointments to be made by the Council President following consultation with the Citizens
Advisory Committee on Appointments in amended Sections 2.20.010, 2.24.010, 2.28.010,
2.58.020, and newly created Chapter 2.26. Councilmember Steeber moved to deny said charter
ordinance, seconded by Councilmember Voskuil and passed by the following vote: Aye:
Councilmembers Brunner, McDonald, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay: Council President
Loasching. Councilmember Brunner requested more information on appointments to the Planning
Commission and the Police and Fire Commission. (File Charter Ord. No. 2008-006)
NEW BUSINESS
1. Presentation of alternatives and direction to staff on creating additional parking near Janesville
Senior Center. Councilmember Steeber moved to have the Administration prepare a report that
reviews: moving Mercy Options parking to the Parking Plaza, changing St. Lawrence Ave. and S.
Water St. to one way and making angle parking available on St. Lawrence Ave. and S. Water St.
The motion was seconded by Councilmember Truman. Councilmember McDonald suggested a
friendly amendment to explore the feasibility of designated parking for seniors with permits. The
friendly amendment was accepted by the maker and the seconder. The motion passed
unanimously.
2. Report on appeals processes and Zoning Board of Appeals. Gale Price, Manager of Building &
Development Services, presented information on the appeals processes. Councilmember
Steeber suggested a comprehensive brochure be developed outlining appeals processes.
Councilmember Voskuil suggested appeals information be placed on the City website.
3. A proposed preliminary resolution for Public Works Bid Schedule “A”–2009 was introduced and
scheduled for a public hearing on February 23, 2009. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt
said resolution, seconded by Councilmember Brunner and passed by the following vote: Aye:
Council President Loasching, Councilmembers Brunner, Steeber, Truman, and Voskuil. Nay:
Councilmember McDonald. (File Res. No. 2009-578)
4. Action on a proposed resolution authorizing a 2008 General Fund budget supplemental
appropriation. Councilmember Steeber moved to adopt said resolution, seconded by
Councilmember Brunner and passed unanimously. Councilmember McDonald stated
management should be proactive in managing the 2009 budget. (File Res. No. 2009-579)
5. Matters not on the agenda. Councilmember Steeber stated e-mail can be reviewed without
opening the message and he does not open them unless responding to the sender.
6. Councilmember Steeber moved to convene into closed session pursuant to Wisconsin Statute
Section 19.85 (1)(e) for the purpose of deliberating or negotiating the purchasing of public
properties, the investing of public funds, or conducting other specific public business, whenever
competitive or bargaining reasons require a closed session, specifically setting the
negotiation/bargaining strategy, terms, and conditions for TIF No. 22 development agreement(s).
The motion was seconded by Councilmember McDonald and passed unanimously.
There being no further business, Council convened into closed session at 9:27 PM.
These minutes are not official until approved by the City Council.
Jean Ann Wulf, City Clerk-Treasurer